Not a fan of Nitro beers because the blast of nitrogen washes away the flavor and this is no different. There are hidden glimpses of stout like malts, char and chocolate. The mouthfeel is smooth and somewhat creamy but all seems lost in the nitrogen.

Serving: 16oz draft off of a nitro-tap served in a tumbler @ Cumberland Brewing Company

A: Dark brown hues with just enough of a shimmer through the middle from the cascading effect to discern that it is in fact a deep brown and not black; one finger’s worth of a lighter, khaki-colored head, but you can tell its super creamy and dense just by looking at it.

S: The aroma isn’t particularly strong, but you do get some nice notes of dark malt, a lightly roasted coffee aroma, and just the faintest sugary hint – like a touch of brown sugar or caramel. It’s pleasant, if a bit muted.

T: While I didn’t get much chocolate on the nose, you do begin to pick it up on the palate and it’s a more of a cocoa powdery chocolate but not really bittering; blends nicely with the dark, bready flavors and hints at some dark fruitiness; coffee notes and roasted malt does come through stronger mid sip towards the finish, but again it seems to exercise a great deal of restraint. You know the flavors are there, but you have to dig for them. Still, pleasing with a bit of a lingering touch of smoke and that cocoa flavor settling out.

M: Very creamy; really lays down on the tongue and shows a nice bit of body for a porter; not as thick as a milk stout, but the nitro really gives this beer some extra heft.

O: A good, solid porter by a local brewery that I enjoy supporting. I personally think this is their best offering, and always my first choice when I stop by for dinner and drinks with friends (If you find yourself in Louisville, you ought to check out Cumberland - great beer and food to boot). A pleasing flavor profile, and while I would like it to be a bit more expressive, what’s there has the hallmarks of a quality made American Porter. It is made all the more enjoyable by an exquisitely creamy body thanks to running this through a nitro tap.

T: Notes of molasses, dark chocolate, toffee, caramel, coffee, heavy cream, and roasted grain are apparent in the mouth. Subtle traces of dark fruit can be detected in the background. The finish is smooth and long with huge roasted grain and chocolate flavors.

M: Medium-bodied, oily, and smooth. Very creamy in the mouth. Carbonation is not really all that apparent. Very quaffable.

O: Compared to many American porters, this porter is much softer and smoother, with a great nose and a great flavor profile. Despite the depth and intensity of flavors, however, the beer remains very accessible. In my opinion, this is one of the best beers in Louisville, and certainly deserves its status as a local favorite.